Singer Song Ga-in's side has expressed their position on the 'unregistered operation of a one-person agency controversy'.
On the 18th, JayGee Star, which manages Song Ga-in, stated to MK Sports, "After the exclusive contract with Pocketdol Studio expired, Song Ga-in wanted to establish a one-person agency called Gaindal Entertainment and continue her activities, but in the process, she ended up signing an exclusive contract with us and is now working as one of our artists."
They continued, "JayGee Star is registered as a cultural arts planning business, and since Song Ga-in is active as an artist under JayGee Star, we were not aware of any issues. We will also strive to complete the registration process for Gaindal Entertainment quickly."
Recently, it has come to light that agencies commonly referred to as 'one-person agencies', including singer and musical actress Ok Joo-hyun, Sung Si-kyung, and actor Kang Dong-won, have been operating without registering as cultural arts planning businesses, leading to criticism. The Cultural Arts Industry Development Act stipulates that those who operate without registration can face up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won.
Song Ga-in established Gaindal Entertainment in September last year. Although her older brother, Jo Seong-jae, is listed as an internal director in the registry, the fact that they have been operating without registering as a cultural arts planning business after its establishment has brought them into the center of controversy.
Meanwhile, as similar cases continue to emerge, on the 18th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced, "Due to recent reports in the media about some cultural arts planning businesses failing to fulfill their registration obligations under the Cultural Arts Industry Development Act, we will operate a 'Cultural Arts Planning Business Registration Guidance Period' until December 31, 2025, to create a legal compliance environment across the industry and establish a sound industrial order."
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
